Civil Defence payment

If you and your family are affected by an emergency event (eg, earthquake or flooding) and a Civil Defence emergency has been declared, or the event meets the guidelines for a Civil Defence emergency, you may be able to get a Civil Defence payment.

Important information

You don't have to be on a benefit to qualify for a Civil Defence payment.

In most cases it doesn't matter what your income is or what assets you have.

If a Civil Defence emergency has been declared, or the event meets the guidelines for a Civil Defence emergency, you may be able to get help if you find yourself in one of these situations:

you were required to leave your home because of the emergency (eg you've been evacuated)

you were away from your home at the time of the emergency and can’t return due to the emergency

you have to remain in your home as a result of the emergency

you can't go to work because of the emergency.

You also:

must generally be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

generally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here

can't cover your costs from insurance (or you haven't been paid yet)

don't have access to any other help (eg public donations or other government or charitable relief funds).

If you're unsure whether the costs of your immediate needs will be covered by insurance, an initial Civil Defence payment to meet your immediate needs may be made. If you get an insurance payment for any costs covered by the Civil Defence payment, you have to refund the amount paid.

In most cases it doesn’t matter what you earn or own and Civil Defence payments don’t usually affect other benefits.

Note: If you're not legally allowed to work in New Zealand, some types of assistance may not be available to you.